Georg e



(N0 Model.)

er. R. 11 VON STEGMANN.

BIGYOLE.

' No.577,990. PateriiedMar. z, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORG R. F. VON STEGMANN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFIGA'IION fotming paart of Letters Patent N0. 577,990, dated March 2, 1897.

Application fi1ecl April 13, 1896.

.T0 all wh0m zlt mag c0ncern:

' Be it known that I, GEORG R. F. VON STEG- MANN, a subject 0f tl1e Emperor 0f Germany, residing in New York, county and State of New York, hzwe inventecl -certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycles, 0f which t-l1e following is a specification.

My invention relates so b1'cycles and similar vehicles; and it consists 0f ehe hereinafterdescribed attachment 130 the forkecl stem for locking the steering-whcel in position.

Myinvention is illustratecl in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a sicle elevation cf a part of a bicycle, showing my attachmcnt in position 0n the forked stem. Fig. 2 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, sl1owing the key in position locking tl1e forkecl stem 110 the frame. F ig. 3 is a top view 0f the guiding-ring sccurecl 130 tl1e forked stem. Fig. 4= is a top view of a moclified form of the guiding-ring.

Similar letters 0f reference indicate corresponcling parts in all the views.

Bicyclcs when 110t in use are usually leaned against a supporting object. The steeringwheel is, however, if 110t especially fastened, likely t0 turn by being acciclentally pushed 01 from other ca-uses, and 11h us slicling away from the support causes the bicycle t0 fall t-0 thc ground. The fastening 0f the steering-wheel is oftcn cumbersome and yct insecure, and 130 ovcrcome tl1is inconvenience I have invented my improved attachment.

T0 the forked stem a 0f the bicyclc is clamped the ring b, above alle upper rim of socket c cf the fraine, in which thc forkecl sten1 a turns. This ring b has two flanges d extending outwarcl, ancl between these flanges is secured by bolt fthe block e. Bolt f passes through the flanges d and through the block e, and by screwing on the nut 9 the flanges d are pressed togethcr ancl ring b clamped tightly 011 tl1e forkecl stem a. Between block e and the forked-stem a slides key g, macle of a fiat piecc of metal With a straight back, ancl two clepressions h on the front, separatecl by a slightly-elevated portion z, ancl With Serial N0. 587,342. (N0 model.)

fianges hat each end. respond in size with the rectangular block e. T0 thc back of the key g is riveted the spring Z, pressing the key against the piece e and thus sustaining it in position. A handle m 0r other suitable meahs of grasping the key g by tl1e band is providecl ab the upper end cf the key g.

In thc socket c 0f the frame are made slots n, eit her in the front or 011 the two sides, but I have founcl it best t0 provicle all three. The guiding-ring b is clarnped 130 the forked stem a just above the upper rim of sockct c, ancl when the steering-wheel is turned in position key g is pushed down in one 0f the sl0ts n, thus lockirig the forked Stern in that position. The wheel then cannot be turned in the socket until key g is again withdrawn from the s1ot.

A modified form of the fing b is shown in Fig'. 4. In this construction the ring does not exte nd arouncl the forked stem a; but only a, shortportion 0f the flanges being securecl t0 the forkecl stern by the screws p 011 each sicle.

I claim and clesire t0 secure by Letters Patent A locking device for the steering-wheels cf bicycles ancl similar vehicles, comprising guiding-flanges secured o0 the forked stem above thc Socket 0f the frame, a, locking-block, set betwe'en the flanges, a key sliding vertically between the guiding-flanges, a tensionspring set between thc key and the forked stem and pressing it against the lockingblock, depressions in the key adapted to en gage the block ancl hold it in position and slots in the socket of tl1c frarne adapted t0 reccive the end of the key whereby said forked stem is locked in position relatively t0 the socket.

In witness that I claim the improvements described in the foregoing specification I have signed my name in the presence of two sub scribing witnesses.

GEORG R. F. VON STEGMANN.

Witnesses:

RICHARD I. ELLIOTT, JOHN P. NORDSTROM.

T116 depressions h cor- 

